If there’s one sign that this year is flying by, it’s this—summer break is finally here! And in our eyes (and let’s be real, every school age kid’s too), it’s the best time of the year. Time to bust out the fresh pool towels, slip into colorful bathing suits and make use of that vacation time that’s begging to be spent on a sunny beach in Northeast Florida.
But before we dive headfirst into those carefree, sun-soaked days, we know a little structure can go a long way—especially when the kiddos are home. That’s where Wildlight’s summer camps and classes come in. They’re kicking off soon, and we’re here to help you plan a break that’s packed with fun and keeps the routine in check.
Wildlight YMCA
Sure, the Wildlight YMCA is known for their entertaining workout classes, numerous youth sport programs and military outreach. But have you heard about their Summer Youth Day Camp (opens in new tab)? Let’s just say—this isn’t your typical “in-the-woods” camp experience. Campers aged 5-12 years old have the opportunity to connect with old and new best buds, explore activities from STEM to character development all the way down to swimming all summer long. And that’s just the beginning! Every two weeks brings a brand-new theme that encourages confidence, skill-building, and creativity, giving campers tools they can take with them into the school year and beyond.
Sound like Summer Youth Day Camp is the perfect solution to keep your little one(s) engaged and busy over the break? Sign up now (opens in new tab). But hurry, there are only a few spots left! We know they’ll have a blast and bring home stories they’ll be excited to share (nonstop, probably!).
But what if camp isn’t their thing? No worries—the Wildlight YMCA offers tumbling (opens in new tab) and karate (opens in new tab) classes all season long. They’ll learn to flip and chop their way through summer in no time.
Dance and Music Classes
It’s pretty RAD to have a dance company in Wildlight—especially, when it’s the Royal Amelia Dance Academy. Even better? Half day camps are being offered in June. During the month, your tiny dancer(s) aged 4-12 can try hiphop, acro, and cheer. Have a sibling that also wants to get in on the fun? Sibling discounts are available, too. So here’s your cue— twirl, don’t run, to reserve their spot!
Got a music lover at home? Amelia Music Studio is hosting a 4 to 8-year-old Tiny Treble Makers class during the heart of summer in June & July. This class will introduce students to the magic of music, exploring different genres and instrument families—all while having the best time. Registration is now open (opens in new tab)!
Summer in Wildlight is just heating up and we can’t wait to be a part of your summertime family fun. Whether it’s spent socializing at day camp, in a hip dance class, or singing your heart out, we’re glad you’re here. Here’s to a wonderful and happy summer in our Town District!
Finding a new job is hard. But finding a home that’s the right fit for your family can be even more daunting. Add moving to a new city or state to the list. Now that’s a doozy.
With help from Find Your JAX (opens in new tab), newcomers and locals alike can find their forever home right here in Northeast Florida. But let’s say you want information from actual residents in a community you’re eyeing – like the Dugan family who live in Wildlight to be exact. We have the perfect video for you.
Why Wildlight?
“It’s a very convenient, comfortable and tranquil place to call home.” – Dugan Family
Convenience
Not only does Wildlight offer an abundance of fresh restaurants and charming r (opens in new tab)etail stores, it’s conveniently located by the robust job market found in Jacksonville. Did we mention that Jacksonville has the #2 trending job market in the U.S.? And let’s not forget that Wildlight is just minutes away from I-95 and I-10 making your commute to and from work a breeze.
Having the #4 rated public elementary school in the state of Florida (opens in new tab), Wildlight Elementary School, right in our backyard (literally) is another major perk of our community. Parents can drop their A+ students off on a golf cart or walk them in on a trail. Students also get to enjoy nature during the school day at their outdoor learning center – connecting them back to what Wildlight is all about.
Comfortable
Nothing feels better than coming home to a community that you are safe and comfortable in. Especially when you have a family-focused lifestyle. With five community events and counting, Wildlight is the ideal place to come together with the ones you love. From mornings spent at the Wildlight Market Place (opens in new tab), to our very own Run Wild 5k & 10k race (opens in new tab), there’s something for every member of the family no matter what the season may be.
Wildlight is a place where everyday feels like vacation, especially with events, family and friends all around the corner. It makes life more comfortable knowing everything you need is right at your fingertips.
Tranquility
Imagine having easy access to 12+ miles of trails (opens in new tab) and parks with ample green space. That could be your Wildlight reality. We like to call our trailways our main amenities, because after all, who doesn’t love connecting with nature after a busy day? Whether you’re a biker or a hiker, Wildlight has the trails to take on any adventure.
Then there are the parks. We could go on and on about how wild we are about them (check out this article (opens in new tab)). With four parks here in Wildlight that range from family pools to playgrounds and ponds for fishing, there is always something to see, explore, and experience. There’s recreational equipment for the workout kind and hammocks for the leisure ones.
Calling Wildlight Home
It’s safe to say that Wildlight is the ideal place for convenience, comfortability, and tranquility. If you’re new to Northeast Florida or a local looking for a fresh adventure, add Wildlight to the top of the list.
But don’t just take our word or the Dugan’s family for it. Stop by for a visit and see what Wildlight is all about.
Visit us anytime. (opens in new tab)
In the Florida Lowcountry, the holiday season is a blend of coastal charm and traditional Southern hospitality. Where palm trees dressed in twinkling lights illuminate the warm December nights. And a variety of festive gatherings reflect the spirit of the coast. Here are just a few of the ways you can connect with family and friends near Wildlight.
Wildlight’s Winterfest
Head to Winterfest (opens in new tab) on December 7th from 2–5 pm, when Tinker Street will fill with holiday cheer. We’ll have festive crafts, local food trucks. Horse-drawn carriage rides. And the magic of honest-to-goodness snow (yes, really). VIP guests Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making a special appearance. And since it’s the season of giving, we invite attendees to bring donations of arts and crafts supplies for Micah’s Place (opens in new tab).
Festive Tree Lightings
If you love seeing a giant tree come to life with holiday lights, you’re in luck. Because there are two near Wildlight. One right across the street from our community, at the Nassau County Courthouse (opens in new tab) — held this year on December 6th, and featuring food trucks, a holiday vendor market, photo ops with Santa and more. And The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island’s grand tree lighting (opens in new tab) on November 27th — a 25-year tradition that includes the lighting of a 40-foot tree, live holiday music, fireworks, and the arrival of Santa Claus.
Parades (Two Ways)
Nothing says holiday cheer quite like a Christmas parade, and there are two we think are especially worth noting. Fernandina Beach’s Lighted Christmas Parade (opens in new tab) (December 7th) will be a spectacular sight, with Illuminated floats, local marching bands, and community groups parading through downtown. And if you’re looking for a furrier festivity, the Parade of Paws (opens in new tab) at Fernandina Beach (December 14th) features four-legged friends to prance through Fernandina Beach in their best holiday attire, vying for prizes in different categories — you can even register to participate!
Hey Santa
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island offers a lineup of enchanting Santa experiences at all times of the day. Start the morning at Breakfast with Santa (opens in new tab). Attend Santa’s Storybook Tea (opens in new tab), where you can gather to hear holiday tales and enjoy treats. Or make reservations for Santa’s Magical Dinner (opens in new tab), where kids can share their holiday wishes over a delicious meal.
Dickens on Centre
Step back in time with the Dickens on Centre (opens in new tab) festival from December 12-15, where the streets of Fernandina Beach transform into a scene from a Charles Dickens novel. Expect carolers in Victorian dress, vibrant market stalls, and delicious holiday treats — all in an atmosphere that feels like Christmas from another era.
New Year’s Eve Shrimp Drop
New Year’s Eve in the Florida Lowcountry has a charm all its own, especially with Amelia Island’s family-friendly Shrimp Drop (opens in new tab) on Fernandina Beach’s waterfront. The highlight? When the giant illuminated shrimp drops, followed by fireworks lighting up the sky. And don’t worry — the event is coordinated with Greenwich Mean Time, which means “midnight” will actually be at 7pm!
Rockin’ Around the Neighborhood
Drive or stroll through Wildlight and you’ll see a dazzling display of holiday lights and decorations as residents go all out to compete in the beloved Deck Your Porch contest — decking their homes with everything from classic holiday lights to imaginative displays. For those lucky enough to call Wildlight home, there’s even more holiday fun to be had, with exclusive events planned by our Lifestyle Director.
Happy Holidays from Wildlight
Celebrating the season in the heart of the Florida Lowcountry is a unique blend of coastal charm, warm hospitality, and vibrant community spirit. And when you live at Wildlight, you’re in the heart of this holiday magic. Enjoy every festive minute of it.
The Nassau County Economic Development Board honored its partners October 24th at its annual reception at Mocama Wildlight Taproom, it announced in a news release. Rayonier was recognized as The Regional Economic Impact Award honoree.
Read the full article at the Jacksonville Daily Record (opens in new tab).
Plans are advancing for Wildlight’s Westerly Park residential community in Northeast Florida.
Read the full article at the Jacksonville Daily Record (opens in new tab).
A retail/commercial facility along Florida 200 near a new Wawa is the latest development in the works for the area in and around the master-planned Nassau County community.
Read the full article at the Jacksonville Daily Record (opens in new tab).
When choosing a home that’s right for you and your family, the typical must-haves are 3+ bedrooms, a big kitchen with plenty of space to sit and roam, and maybe even a pool (make that definitely if you live here in Florida), but what if we told you you could have all that and so much more in Wildlight? You might just find your dinner plates overflowing.
Wildlight is known for its 12+ miles of trails and parks, Florida low country homes and endless amounts of green outdoor space. But Lauren Titus, Editor-in-Chief and Partner for Edible Northeast Florida magazine, views the community a little more appetizing than that. In the latest issue (opens in new tab) dedicated all to HEAT, Titus highlights Wildlight (opens in new tab) for not only being a hot spot for homeowner growth but also “up-and-comers with local restaurateurs and food makers looking for untapped potential.”
With over eight eateries to choose from, we know the where-to-go decision can be hard to make. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Check out four restaurants that will never not hit the spot in Wildlight.
Anejo Cocina: (opens in new tab) Mexican restaurant and handcrafted cocktails
Grumpy’s Restaurant: (opens in new tab) Home-style breakfast, lunch and brunch options
Hana Sushi: (opens in new tab) Asian inspired cuisine
Mocama Taproom and Coffeehouse: (opens in new tab) Coffee, beer and wine gathering space
Tasty’s Fresh Burgers: (opens in new tab) Burgers. Fries. Shakes. Say less!
Okay… the decision may be a little harder than we thought. But when you call Wildlight home, you’ll never have to worry about everyone’s least favorite question – “what’s for dinner?” You can experience all of our delicious eateries any day of the week. And afterwards, you can go home and rest in your new home in Wildlight.
Find out What’s Here (opens in new tab)
Read more at the Jacksonville Business Journal (opens in new tab).
WILDLIGHT, Fla.—July 16, 2024—Wildlight, a master-planned mixed-use development in Nassau County, today announced its newest Town District neighborhood, Westerly Park. The community’s westernmost neighborhood will feature a new amenity center available to all Wildlight residential association members. David Weekley Homes and Pulte Homes have been selected as the residential homebuilders.
Westerly Park will offer fresh home designs alongside a recreational facility designed to welcome Wildlight families for outdoor entertainment. An open-air pavilion will overlook a family-sized pool adjoining a six-lane lap pool, nestled beside a playground and picnic area. Spacious lawns will further enhance the gathering space, set for resident access by spring 2026. The neighborhood offers close proximity to Wildlight Elementary School and the YMCA at Wildlight.
New to Wildlight, David Weekley Homes will add a mix of townhomes and duplexes situated on 20- to 35-foot homesites, with an expected delivery date of fall 2025. Pulte Homes will present thoughtfully designed floor plans on 50- to 60-foot homesites reflecting Wildlight’s lowcountry aesthetic and is slated to break ground this fall.
“We’re excited to introduce Westerly Park and our plans for a new amenity center, adding to the vibrancy of the Town District,” said Wes Hinton, vice president of Wildlight. “By teaming up with respected builders David Weekley Homes and Pulte Homes, we’re blending exceptional home offerings with top-tier amenities to enhance the Wildlight community.”
More than four years after plans were announced, Wawa is open in the master-planned Wildlight community in Nassau County.
Read the full article on Jacksonville Daily (opens in new tab)Record.
Huey Magoo’s – the “Filet Mignon Of Chicken” – is proud to celebrate its newest franchise store now open in Yulee, Florida, President and CEO Andy Howard announces today.
